As California's Pacific Gas and Electric Co. works to restore power to about 179,000 customers, the utility is also getting ready for another potential round of power shutoffs that could be more widespread.Utility CEO Bill Johnson said during a news conference Thursday that more people could be impacted by the potential weekend shutoffs.“We are preparing with our communities and state agencies for a large-scale shutoff that has the potential to be on the same order as the one on Oct. 9 — but of a longer duration,” Johnson said. PG&E will be shutting off power to about 940,000 customers across Northern California.The utility announced Saturday morning that it will be initiating a Public Safety Power Shutoff due to high winds forecast to move through the region later in the evening. According to PG&E.com, the potential weekend power shutoffs could affect portions of 36 counties.(Can't see the map below? Tap here)PHNjcmlwdCBpZD0iaW5mb2dyYW1fMF8yZDExMDVlOC1hNWQ0LTQ5OTEtOGY2My00OGJlNTY0OGQzYzAiIHRpdGxlPSJQb3RlbnRpYWwgUEcmYW1wO2FtcDthbXA7RSBQb3dlciBTaHV0b2ZmcyAoT2N0LiAyNikiIHNyYz0iaHR0cHM6Ly9lLmluZm9ncmFtLmNvbS9qcy9kaXN0L2VtYmVkLmpzP0VrYyIgdHlwZT0idGV4dC9qYXZhc2NyaXB0Ij48L3NjcmlwdD4=The shutoffs are part of PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoff Program, which is designed to reduce the threat of wildfire that could be sparked by lines brought down in gusting winds.An offshore wind event is expected to impact Northern California on Saturday night and Sunday. The windy conditions are expected to die down by Monday.Johnson said customers who could be impacted by the potential weekend shutoffs have already begun getting notices.

As California's Pacific Gas and Electric Co. works to restore power to about 179,000 customers, the utility is also getting ready for another potential round of power shutoffs that could be more widespread.

Utility CEO Bill Johnson said during a news conference Thursday that more people could be impacted by the potential weekend shutoffs.

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“We are preparing with our communities and state agencies for a large-scale shutoff that has the potential to be on the same order as the one on Oct. 9 — but of a longer duration,” Johnson said.

PG&E will be shutting off power to about 940,000 customers across Northern California.

The utility announced Saturday morning that it will be initiating a Public Safety Power Shutoff due to high winds forecast to move through the region later in the evening.